Lincoln was secretly appealed to for arms, which were shipped to cities on the Ohio River for secret distribution among the Unionists of Kentucky as the opportunity would permit.[43] The Secessionists had referred to these guns as the first so-called violation of neutrality.  The Unionists defended themselves on the ground that since the Governor and his whole machine were about in the ranks of the Confederates they were justified in doing almost anything to defend the State.  Shaler says that the action on both sides was almost simultaneous and that the actual infringement of the neutrality proclamation issued by the Governor was due to the action of Polk and Zollicoffer and the simultaneous invasion of the State some hundreds of miles apart shows that the rupture of the neutrality of Kentucky was deliberately planned by the Confederate authorities.[44]

The invasion by Polk in September produced great excitement.  The legislature was then in session and passed a resolution that the invaders be expelled, and that the Governor call out the military force of the State and place the same under the command of Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden.  The resolutions were vetoed by the Governor but passed by a vote of two thirds.[45] The desired proclamation was issued and soon sufficient men to form forty regiments answered the call.[46] Making further response to the invasion of the State by the Confederates, the legislature ordered that the United States flag be raised over the capitol at Frankfort, and by a resolution which “affirmed” distinctly, though not directly, the doctrine of States’ rights placed Kentucky in political and military association with the North.[47]

WILLIAM T. McKINNEY

FOOTNOTES: 

[1] See Debates in Congress.

[2] Marshall, Speech in Washington on the Nomination of Breckenridge and Lane, p. 3.

[3] Speech of John Stephenson on the state of the Union in the House of Representatives, January 30, 1861.

[4] Bartlett, “Presidential Candidates in 1860,” pp. 344-345.

[5] Speech of Hon. J. C. Breckenridge delivered at Ashland, Kentucky, p. 9.

[6] Speech of J. C. Breckenridge on Executive Usurpation, July 16, 1861.

[7] “The Frankfort Commonwealth,” August 21, 1861.

[8] These were some of the most intellectual and aristocratic men of the State.  Collins exaggerates, however, when he says that few leading men opposed secession.  See Collins, “History of Kentucky,” I, 82.

[9] Speed, “The Union Cause in Kentucky,” 36.

[10] Ibid., 36.

[11] Ibid., 37.

[12] Hart, “Slavery and Abolition,” 65, 178, 234; Turner, “Rise of the New West,” 77.

[13] Report of the American Historical Association, 1893, pp. 219-221.

[14] Burgess, “Civil War and the Constitution,” I, 30.